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OAI Air Cleaner Top - Is it Authentic or Aftermarket???
I was given this OAI air cleaner top in 2003 by someone who had their own shop and was closing the business. He restored a number of 442s and Ralley 350s in his time and said he was told this one was real when he acquired it a number of years before.
There was also a valve attached that appeared very used/old and he said it no longer worked. I have it somewhere and will try to add a pic of it to the others below if I can find it.
is it possible to tell if this is authentic or aftermarket by looking? Let me know if better, more specific pictures are needed. The condition is exactly as I received it with the black on the outside of the foam fairly worn.
Does the foam look like 350 or 455 foam?
If it is real, what would it be worth (I have no other parts for a complete assembly). If aftermarket, then what is the value? I’m not planning to sell it and would like to get other pieces to use it on my car (see my newbie post from yesterday, if interested).
Thanks for any input or opinion that can be given!
Last edited by 72442TwiceOwned; August 7th, 2023 at 07:45 AM.
Reason: Typo
Thanks very much, Gary! Good looking Vista Cruiser on your profile!
I’m including this bit as much or more for others who may follow but did you happen to have any thoughts as to whether this air cleaner top is an original or reproduction based on the other details? I’m new to the whole forum thing and afraid I may have rambled a bit on the original post when I should have listed my questions all together.
Thank you. If you're interested in some of the build details, you can click on my forum name, then in the albums window, click "Show All Albums."
Your OAI adapter looks original. The only oddity is the white "Oldsmobile" lettering. This was lettered on adapters for the advertising brochures. But most agree that these were not painted on cars as-delivered. In the early days, an owner must have added the white paint. If done well, I don't think that detracts from value.
Thank you. If you're interested in some of the build details, you can click on my forum name, then in the albums window, click "Show All Albums."
Your OAI adapter looks original. The only oddity is the white "Oldsmobile" lettering. This was lettered on adapters for the advertising brochures. But most agree that these were not painted on cars as-delivered. In the early days, an owner must have added the white paint. If done well, I don't think that detracts from value.
Awesome! Thanks very much, Gary. I did measure the foam and it’s 2 inches. I’d also love to check out your car. Thanks for telling me where to find it. I haven’t done much with profile setup/albums yet.
If interested, you can see my car on my Newbie post yesterday - New to Classic Olds (current pics and pics as purchased in 1985 when I was 16 - I’ve owned the car twice).
If it is real, what would it be worth (I have no other parts for a complete assembly). If aftermarket, then what is the value? I’m not planning to sell it and would like to get other pieces to use it on my car (see my newbie post from yesterday, if interested).
Posting a second time - Meant to post against a quote of Gary’s comment.
Awesome! Thanks very much, Gary. I did measure the foam and it’s 2 inches. I’d also love to check out your car. Thanks for telling me where to find it. I haven’t done much with profile setup/albums yet.
If interested, you can see my car on my Newbie post yesterday - New to Classic Olds (current pics and pics as purchased in 1985 when I was 16 - I’ve owned the car twice).
406336 is listed as a Thornton aftermarket GM reproduction of OEM part number 406299
Thanks Vintage Chief for your feedback and the link in your second reply below! I guess that tells the whole story. Must not be real but then if I can ever get a full assembly for my car, mine is not an actual OAI car either.
Thanks Vintage Chief for your feedback and the link in your second reply below! I guess that tells the whole story. Must not be real but then if I can ever get a full assembly for my car, mine is not an actual OAI car either.
If you review the pictures in that eBay link - I'm not 100% on what's going on w/ that eBay listing. One picture demonstrates what I believe is the correct part number 406299 then the seller lists another picture with the part number 406336. So, I'm not 100% what's going on there.
Maybe Gary might have some information.
I was actually responding in my second post with that link so you might get a feel for its worth as you asked about value.
OK...I "MAY" have this figured out...."MAY" being the key word. The spring loaded door has a part number of 406366 and the air cleaner base itself has a part number of 406299 in the eBay listing I provided.
Vintage Chief, I just took a closer look at the last link you gave me. He has a picture showing a part number of 406299 on the smooth underside portion of the main body of the unit and also showing a part number of 406336 on the underside of the flap where it has a large square grid (the “70” with tic marks around it is barely visible on the underside of the flap but it’s about an inch or inch and a half directly above the middle 6 and 3 in the part number..
I’ve included additional pics of mine below showing the same numbers. I missed the number on the smooth part of mine when taking pictures So, hopefully this one is an original but maybe it’s not possible to know for sure.
OK. Thanks Gary. So, the OP has both a 406336 flapper door and a 406336 assembled adapter? Totally confused now - at least based upon images provided.
Originally Posted by VC455
Norm,
To confirm, the Olds Chassis and Body Parts Catalog shows 406336 as the flapper door and 406299 as the assembled adapter.
Cheers,
Gary
Thanks for that feedback, Gary. I was typing my own reply with additional pics of both part numbers on mine based on the pics I saw on the link Vintage Chief provided. I didn’t see yours until after. Glad it seems mine is an original after all!
It was a matter of perspective relative to where the pictures were taken (I guess); although, I do see a delta in the number surrounding the "70" ticks.
These are from the eBay listing...
Since yours has the correct numbers on BOTH "70" ticks, I'd almost suspect yours is original while the eBay listing has an aftermarket Thornton door...just a guess though - the eBay listing demonstrates no "70" ticks on the 406336.
Since yours has the correct numbers on BOTH "70" ticks, I'd almost suspect yours is original while the eBay listing has an aftermarket Thornton door...just a guess though - the eBay listing demonstrates no "70" ticks on the 406336.
Thanks, Vintage Chief (Norm, if I may as I picked up on that from Gary)! I certainly appreciate all the time and input. Maybe I can pin down someone with a known original 70 W-30 with original air cleaner top and put this to rest someday. Until then, I was really just curious and don’t have any immediate plans to try to sell it. I just like to know what I have on hand.
...(see my newbie post from yesterday, if interested).
Good looking 4-4-2. I owned a 1972 4-4-2 (from 1975-1981) I purchased used from a gentleman in Riverside, CA while stationed @ Norton AFB on active duty. It was my 2nd 4-4-2. I purchased a used 1967 4-4-2 in 1969 & owned it until 1972. Welcome to the site.
Thanks, Vintage Chief (Norm, if I may as I picked up on that from Gary)! I certainly appreciate all the time and input. Maybe I can pin down someone with a known original 70 W-30 with original air cleaner top and put this to rest someday. Until then, I was really just curious and don’t have any immediate plans to try to sell it. I just like to know what I have on hand.
If I'd bought a 442 in 1970, that would have been my color combination. Nicely painted (non-W-30 stripes are not often seen today).
Thanks, Gary. Very kind of you. I’ve never been certain if black/red stripes was even available on 70-72. I could never find anything verifying that for a 72 like mine but never really checked other years. If they had it available in 70, there must not be many of them.
And I’m also partial to the non-W-30 stripes when it’s not the real thing. On my next repaint I would like to have them painted on like they should be. Thanks for all your input tonight!
Good looking 4-4-2. I owned a 1972 4-4-2 (from 1975-1981) I purchased used from a gentleman in Riverside, CA while stationed @ Norton AFB on active duty. It was my 2nd 4-4-2. I purchased a used 1967 4-4-2 in 1969 & owned it until 1972. Welcome to the site.
Thanks! Those were both great cars you had! And my name is John, by the way. I can’t believe I didn’t think to tell you that earlier. I look forward to catching up again soon. I may have a couple of other posts I put out there with other questions.
Thanks! Those were both great cars you had! And my name is John, by the way. I can’t believe I didn’t think to tell you that earlier. I look forward to catching up again soon. I may have a couple of other posts I put out there with other questions.
You can add a "Signature" tag with your name (John) in your Profile if you choose i.e. that's what I did "Norm".
Go to "User Control Panel" (upper RH corner of page) then find your Signature (if you choose)....
Terrific! Thanks. I’ll have to get off my phone and in my tablet shortly and check that out.
Somehow I added to your quote above. Anyway, I’ll get on my tablet shortly and check into that. Thanks for the tip!
If you look closely it looks like someone painted the whole thing black (fish eyes in the finish) before painting the letters silver or white. You might try removing the paint with laquer thinner. I have an original lid that someone painted as well. After a lot of cleaning with laquer thinner, rags, and a tooth brush, the original finish came out very nice.
If you look closely it looks like someone painted the whole thing black (fish eyes in the finish) before painting the letters silver or white. You might try removing the paint with laquer thinner. I have an original lid that someone painted as well. After a lot of cleaning with laquer thinner, rags, and a tooth brush, the original finish came out very nice.
As purchased:
After some cleaning:
Final product:
Assembled with new foam:
Hey, thanks very much for those tips! Yours really did turn out looking good! I had noticed the fish eyes and uneven finish but didn’t want to do anything until I knew if it was just bad original finish or someone’s “handywork.” I also haven’t been in a hurry to use it. I added the OAI hood to my 72 in 1986 but I’ve just been running the original base with an old Moroso cover on the air filter (it looks rough now after 37 years). I’ll need the correct base and all other related parts before I could ever put it on my car.
I’ll probably start cleaning it up though now that I know it’s likely an original, that way it’s ready when/if I do get the other parts.
By the way, I checked out the header pic on your profile as well as the one on your signature. That Toronado is ***beautiful*** and the Vista Cruiser is really slick the way you finished it! Love the white over black (charcoal?).
Last edited by 72442TwiceOwned; August 12th, 2023 at 06:18 PM.
Reason: Add comment
Thanks,
The vista has a black metallic brushed metal vinyl wrap along the bottom and the tailgate. It looks like brushed (sanded) aluminum but it is black. It is very striking in the sunlight. I am running a reproduction metal air cleaner base on my holiday coupe with the OAI top.
I realize this is an older thread but I just stumbled across it. To the original poster, if you haven't found out for sure, your OAI assembly (Door and Main body) are positively original OEM pieces.
I realize this is an older thread but I just stumbled across it. To the original poster, if you haven't found out for sure, your OAI assembly (Door and Main body) are positively original OEM pieces.
Thanks very much for the reply! I haven’t been on for a while but did receive the notification of the comment on this post. Unfortunately, I am unable to use this piece since I don’t have the others need to make a complete, functioning OAI air cleaner assembly. Maybe one day!
August 7th, 2023, 07:41 AM
